Welcome Home

Today’s show is a little different from most. In it, Sarah – the Managing Editor at The Happiest Home – and I discuss our summers (including her big move and our awesome weather) and how our lives are changing now that the kids are heading back to school. We talked a little about the tyranny of the school pick-up line (and how it gives me mild road rage,) kids walking to and from school, sometimes in charge of younger siblings, and why we’ll be getting 10-year-old William a cell phone soon (see previous.)

Listen now! or keep reading for the iTunes link and to find out how to become part of the show!

We also took some time to marvel over how different our lives are right now, Sarah’s and mine, and how different that can make the whole back-to-school experience.

Case in point: in this video I was at exactly where Sarah is right now, with six, four, and one-year-olds.

It’s hard to believe how different – and how much quieter – things are now, just a handful of years later!

If you liked this show, I’d LOVE for you to subscribe or leave a rating or review on iTunes. Here’s how to do it:

* Visit the podcast page here and click “View in iTunes.”

* From there you’ll see an option to subscribe, and all new episodes will download to your computer or device automatically. You’ll also see a tab in iTunes called Ratings and Reviews. 

One last thing: would you like to be part of The Home Hour Podcast? Now you can record your question or comment right here in your browser, using the microphone on your computer or device. Just follow the directions below and leave your message, and it might become part of a future show.

Have you ever dreamed of turning your creative passion into a career?

Or are you a crafter at heart who’s having a hard time staying organized and inspired around small children? You’ll love my interview today with crafter, blogger and educator (plus, TV personality!) Nikki McGonigal. Also, Shana of Ain’t No Mom Jeans is back with more style advice…this time on how to dress for your skin tone.

Listen now! Or scroll down for the iTunes link, to some of the links discussed in today’s show, or to find out how to become part of the show.

First up, I am excited to welcome Shana Draugelis of Ain’t No Mom Jeans back for another style segment!

Shana and I talked about choosing the right colors for your skin tone, which quickly led to a hilarious discussion of our memories surrounding the color-analyzing service, Color Me Beautiful. Guess what – it’s still around! (Does anyone else have memories of this system?)

Next up, our featured guest: Nikki McGonigal of Nikki, In Stitches.

Nikki and I talked about her career trajectory from starting a small craft blog years ago to competing on TLC’s Craft Wars in 2012, to teaching online crafting classes at Nikki In Stitches Craft Academy. (Her current class on Crafting with Silhouettes sounds amazing!)

Nikki also shares great advice on staying organized when crafting around small children and saving money on projects as well. If you’re a crafter looking for inspiration and information, check out the free resources and projects on Nikki, in Stitches! You can also check out the DIY cupcake wrapper wreath project Nikki shared with our readers last year.

And be sure to Find Nikki on Facebook!

Excited about this week’s episode? Listen in a new window now (or scroll down to play right in this browser window.)

Note: as I shared in the show, this will be the LAST episode until July. I’m taking a break to ease into the summer craziness with my family, but if you crave more episodes this is a great time to get caught up on the archives!

If you like this show, I’d LOVE for you to subscribe or leave a rating or review on iTunes. Here’s how to do it:

* Visit the podcast page here and click “View in iTunes.”

* From there you’ll see an option to subscribe, and all new episodes will download to your computer or device automatically. You’ll also see a tab in iTunes called Ratings and Reviews. 

One last thing: would you like to be part of The Home Hour Podcast? Now you can record your question or comment right here in your browser, using the microphone on your computer or device. Just follow the directions below and leave your message, and it might become part of a future show.

Are you having trouble meeting other moms or building a strong real-life social circle?

In today’s episode of The Home Hour Podcast, Sarah (who claims I hired her to be my friend – wait, that’s not quite right…) and I discuss strategies for meeting other moms and taking those acquaintances from rushed chats in the preschool pick-up line to real friendships, and the benefits of looking beyond the obvious (moms of kids your own kids’ ages) and finding friends from all backgrounds. I also share some of my strategies for getting over a dinner-making rut.

Listen now! Or scroll down for the iTunes link, to some of the links discussed in today’s show, or to find out how to become part of the show!

Here are links to the making-friends articles Sarah and I discussed, and the kitchen-amnesia post I mention during the intro:

* 5 tough-love principles for making friends with other moms.

* Why is it so hard to make mom friends? Solutions to 2 common obstacles

* How to Make Mom Friends (a roundup of all our posts on the topic)

* 5 Ways To Get Back In The Meal-Planning Groove

If you liked this show, I’d LOVE for you to subscribe or leave a rating or review on iTunes. Here’s how to do it:

* Visit the podcast page here and click “View in iTunes.”

* From there you’ll see an option to subscribe, and all new episodes will download to your computer or device automatically. You’ll also see a tab in iTunes called Ratings and Reviews. 

One last thing: would you like to be part of The Home Hour Podcast? Now you can record your question or comment right here in your browser, using the microphone on your computer or device. Just follow the directions below and leave your message, and it might become part of a future show.

We’re well into spring, and for many of us with school-aged kids, summer break is almost here. Is your budget ready for the onslaught of camp options and kids begging for snacks all day? That’s just one of the things Kelly Whalen of The Centsible Life and I discuss in today’s episode, where she gives us some great tips for “spring cleaning” your finances, from home to work to kids.

First up, though, our regular style expert Shana Draugelis is here to answer a burning question: how do you find comfy summer shoes without succumbing to buying sports or “comfort” sandals? We also answer a listener’s question about what to wear with gladiator sandals (especially if you have shorter legs).

Listen now! Or, scroll down for more resources and links.

Show Resources:

First, from the intro – here’s a link to the story about my husband’s and my trip through Big Sur, which is partly responsible for my missing getting a podcast up last week! (It was totally worth it.)

Stylish Summer Shoes:

Shana gave lots of suggestions of comfortable summer shoes that don’t make you look like you’re going camping. Here are some of her favorites:

* Sperry Topsiders

* Gladiator Sandals

* Tieks Ballet Flats

* TOMS

* And Shana’s recommendation from a previous show…Saltwater Sandals

Planning Your Summer Budget:

Kelly wrote a fabulous post about 50 free (or nearly free) summer activities for kids. Use it to help you keep the kids busy without breaking the bank! You can also follow Kelly on Twitter.

If you liked this show, I’d LOVE for you to subscribe or leave a rating or review on iTunes. Here’s how to do it: 

* Visit the podcast page here and click “View in iTunes.”

* From there you’ll see an option to subscribe, and all new episodes will download to your computer or device automatically. You’ll also see a tab in iTunes called Ratings and Reviews. 

One last thing: would you like to be part of The Home Hour Podcast, like Sarah was in today’s show? Now you can record your question or comment right here in your browser, using the microphone on your computer or device. Just follow the directions below and leave your message, and it might become part of a future show.

Have you ever marveled at how many different paths are open to us over the course of our lives?

And that can lead to a lot of pressure – pressure to make the “right” choice, or fear of moving in the wrong direction.

Way back in my early days of motherhood, I joined an online parenting group that became my lifeline through the ins and outs of birth, breastfeeding, sleep deprivation, and discipline issues. Fifteen years later, I’m still friends with many of those women, though our lives have changed so much over the years. Some stopped after a baby or two and are now celebrating high school graduations or facing empty nests, while others grew their families through more births, adoption, or blending families. Some have started businesses, some have launched new careers, and others have embraced the role of homemaker even as their families aged and changed.

It’s shown me that there are so many ways to transition out of the baby years and create a life you love.

Today on The Home Hour Podcast, I’m interviewing two members of that original mom’s group: Sarah Wied Green and September Gerety. Both women have large families and fast-growing kids, and each has taken a very different path in her Beyond Baby years.

Listen now! 

Or, scroll down to find out more about today’s guests.

When Sarah Wied Green’s youngest child was elementary-school aged, she decided to fulfill a lifelong dream of becoming a foster parent. This led her – and her family – down a path they had never seen coming when they wound up adopting out of foster care. Sarah shares her compelling story – and tips for others who’ve considered becoming foster parents – in the first segment of today’s episode.

You can find Sarah online at her blog.

Some organizations and resources that Sarah recommends:

* Child Abuse Prevention Month

* Casa for Children

* Dave Thomas Foundation

* To The End Of June: The Intimate Life of American Foster Care

September Gerety took a very different course. After taking time off from teaching public school while her children were small – and trying a few other careers, like midwifery, on for size, Seppie wound up teaching again.

But this time, she quickly realized she wanted to pursue a larger opportunity in the education field. Now she she has a flexible, lucrative career providing coaching and professional development for early education programs. Seppie and I discuss how to make a mid-career change and the importance of networking, focusing, and finding a mentor in the second half of today’s show.

You can find September at her website.

If you liked this show, I’d LOVE for you to subscribe or leave a rating or review on iTunes. Here’s how to do it: 

* Visit the podcast page here and click “View in iTunes.”

Do you ever find yourself wondering, come Sunday evening, “What happened to the weekend?”

(And did you know that if you live to be 80, you’ll only have 4000 weekends – total! – to fill in your lifetime?)

Laura Vanderkam, author of 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think*, wants to help you reclaim those hours between Friday evening and Monday morning. In today’s episode we talk about her ebook What The Most Successful People Do On The Weekend, and Laura gives some great advice for making the most of your weekend with a little planning and striking the right balance between relaxation and adventure.

 

Also on today’s show: Managing Editor Sarah Powers takes over the “host” role and interviews me about my upcoming ebook, Beyond Baby: A Week-By-Week Guide To Creating A Life You Love When Your Kids Aren’t So Little, which launches on May 1!

I share a sneak peek at what’s inside the book, as well as the background behind why I wrote it, and how to know if you’re “Beyond Baby.”

If you liked this show, I’d LOVE for you to subscribe or leave a rating or review on iTunes. Here’s how to do it: 

* Visit the podcast page here and click “View in iTunes.”

* From there you’ll see an option to subscribe, and all new episodes will download to your computer or device automatically. You’ll also see a tab in iTunes called Ratings and Reviews. 

The Home Hour Podcast will be on break next week because I’ll be traveling to the Mom 2.0 Summit in Atlanta and launching a new book (!), but check back for a new episode in two weeks!

One last thing: would you like to be part of The Home Hour Podcast? Now you can record your question or comment right here in your browser, using the microphone on your computer or device. Just follow the directions below and leave your message, and it might become part of a future show.

*Amazon links are affiliates. If you click through and make a purchase, I’ll receive a commission at no additional cost to you.

Have you ever dreamed of leaving everything behind and traveling the world with your children?

If so, you’re sure to love listening to my conversation with Heather Greenwood Davis, mom of two boys, travel writer and the creator of the blog Globetrotting Mama.  Two years (ish) ago, Heather, her husband and two kids embarked on a year-long journey around the globe, spending time in 29 continents and six countries. Her story is so inspiring for anyone who’s ever wanted to take a risk or do something unusual with their families – and definitely encouraged me to move those “can’ts” out of the way and create the kind of family life I want to live.

Listen now! 

Because Heather and I chatted so long – and I didn’t want to stop asking her questions! – there’s no guest host segment this week, but I did take a few minutes at the beginning of the show to talk about my new ebook, Beyond Baby: Creating A Life You Love When Your Kids Aren’t So Little, which launches two weeks from today. (gulp!) I talk a little about the process of self-publishing and how it’s different from traditional publishing, what you can expect from the book, and more.

I know you’re going to love this episode, so I’ll let you get to it. But be sure to follow Heather Greenwood Davis on Twitter and Facebook, in addition to reading her blog. You’ll be glad you did!

As always, thanks for listening! If you’re a little confused by this whole “podcasting” thing, you might enjoy a post I wrote recently about my system for finding, organizing, and enjoying podcasts!

If you liked this show, I’d LOVE for you to subscribe or leave a rating or review on iTunes. Here’s how to do it: 

* Visit the podcast page here and click “View in iTunes.”

* From there you’ll see an option to subscribe, and all new episodes will download to your computer or device automatically. You’ll also see a tab in iTunes called Ratings and Reviews. 

One last thing: would you like to be part of The Home Hour Podcast? Now you can record your question or comment right here in your browser, using the microphone on your computer or device. Just follow the directions below and leave your message, and it might become part of a future show.

I admit that whenever I find out that a professional actress, dancer, or musician is also a mom, I feel a little jolt of surprise. “How does she do it?” I wonder, for a half second imagining the life of a working performer to be so incredibly glamorous that it couldn’t possibly coincide with piles of laundry and Lego.

But then I get a dose of reality and remember that many people also consider the writing life to be impossibly glamorous, all about scribbling notes on napkins in coffee shops and having “a room of one’s own” (Sounds nice, Virginia Woolf, but it’s not the reality for most of us.)

It’s all about perspective, and the life of a working mother – especially those of who don’t have live-in nannies and household staff – is a tricky juggle regardless of what that work is.

So I was so excited to talk with musician Heather Reid for today’s episode of The Home Hour Podcast.

In the show, Heather and I discuss her early roots as a member of the 90s alt-rock band The Murmurs, her transitions along the way (she wrote a musical!) and her life now as a working musician and the mother of twin 4-year-old boys.

Listen now! 

During the show you’ll get a taste of two songs, Ivy and Be Mine Tonight, from Heather’s debut solo album Cross Words. I love Heather’s music – it’s catchy, soulful and sweet, with themes of love and loss, redemption and resilience. In our discussion, Heather describes herself as an “optimist,” and that definitely comes across in her music.

You can check out the video for Ivy here:

In addition to Heather’s website, you can find her online at Twitter and Facebook. Check her out!

I’m also happy to bring back my friend Shana Draugelis of Ain’t No Mom Jeans for another style segment.

This time Shana and I talk about dressing for high school reunions: how to look effortless and great at the same time and how to use jewelry and accessories to make an outfit more or less dressy depending on the event. (Also, how to determine just how much to dress up or down!)

Shana also explains to me just what an “arm party” is. In case you didn’t know, here’s a photo of Shana rocking one of said “arm parties,” from a post on her blog about wearing black pants at a holiday party. Who knew there was such a festive name for wearing more than one bracelet at a time?

It’s always so much fun talking with Shana and she gives great advice about dressing more fashionably – even for those of us who aren’t exactly “fashionistas.” (Ahem, me.) Look for her on her blog, Facebook, and Twitter.

As always, thanks for listening! If you’re a little confused by this whole “podcasting” thing, you might enjoy a post I wrote last week about

If you’re a new mom, you’ve probably found yourself facing some tricky questions, like: how the heck do I manage a trip to the grocery store with a new baby? And wait, once I’ve done my shopping, how do I get both the baby and the groceries back in the house at the same time?

Whitney Moss and Heather Flett started RookieMoms.com to address obstacles just like this one and help moms get out and enjoy more time with (and without!) their babies. On the show today the three of us discuss how the “rookie mom” experience has evolved over the years, the decision to add more babies to the family and how technology is changing motherhood and infancy. 

Also, Kate Hanley is back on the show to discuss simple, quick things you can introduce more serenity into your daily life. From “kitchen yoga” to easy meditation (promise!) you’ll love her tips and be able to put them into practice today.

Listen now!

Want to know more? Here are links to some of the things discussed on the show today:

* 52 Challenges for Rookie Moms

* Whitney’s reaction to the Fisher Price Apptivity Seat

* Heather and Whitney’s book: The Rookie Mom’s Handbook: 250 Activities To Do With (And Without!) Your Baby

* Kate’s book: The Anywhere, Anytime Chill Guide: 77 Simple Strategies for Serenity

* Kate is also hosting a FREE online event called the 28 Days Lighter Super Summit – it’s all about how to work with your cycle instead of against it to feel lighter and more energetic all month. It starts TOMORROW so sign up today!

As always, thanks for listening! If you liked this show, I’d LOVE for you to subscribe or leave a rating or review on iTunes. Here’s how to do it: 

* Visit the podcast page here and click “View in iTunes.”

* From there you’ll see an option to subscribe, and all new episodes will download to your computer or device automatically. You’ll also see a tab in iTunes called Ratings and Reviews. 

One last thing: would you like to be part of The Home Hour Podcast? Now you can record your question or comment right here in your browser, using the microphone on your computer or device. Just follow the directions below and leave your message, and it might become part of a future show.

 

If you’ve ever wanted to add a little more spice to your cooking – or your life! – you’re going to love my conversation with Monica Bhide. In Episode 25 of The Home Hour Podcast, we discuss the influence of food on family culture, getting kids to try new and unfamiliar flavors, and the healing power of spices. We also talk about some exciting things Monica has coming up.

Also in today’s episode – Sarah Powers is back on the show, and the two of us are discussing birthday parties! Specifically, how much preparation and planning needs to go into creating a special child’s party? As usual, we don’t have the exact same approach but Sarah and I both agree that it’s usually best to do what feels most fun and low-stress for you.

Listen now!

Here are links to some of the resources Monica and I talked about during the show: 

* Monica’s blog has tons of kid-friendly recipe ideas – check it out.

* Monica’s year-long, free digital storytelling project: Powered By Hope

* Modern Spice: Inspired Indian Flavors for the Contemporary Kitchen – celebrating its fifth year in print!

* FREE DOWNLOAD: Monica’s Indian Express: Simple & Sassy Weeknight Dishes. This downloadable isn’t available on Monica’s site yet, but she very graciously offered to let me share it with readers here. It’s packed with simple, kid-tested Indian dishes and easy-to-follow recipes. Thank you, Monica!

* And be sure to check out Monica’s Facebook page.

And from my conversation with Sarah, here’s the post I promised about how Clara’s fifth birthday went down!

As always, thanks for listening! If you liked this show, I’d LOVE for you to subscribe or leave a rating or review on iTunes. Here’s how to do it:

* Visit the podcast page here and click “View in iTunes.”

* From there you’ll see an option to subscribe, and all new episodes will download to your computer or device automatically. You’ll also see a tab in iTunes called Ratings and Reviews. 

One last thing: would you like to be part of The Home Hour Podcast? Now you can record your question or comment right here in your browser, using the microphone on your computer or device. Just follow the directions below and leave your message, and it might become part of a future show.